Chapter 37

Having physically silenced Barveni, I turned to Strass.

"He seems different. I will apologize to him later, so let's go meet a person named Hiram."

As I said this, Strass and the others nodded in agreement.

"W-wait..."

I bowed deeply to Barveni, who was trying to say something, and turned on my heel.

"O-over here!"

"Hiram-senpai is good at wind magic, so he's probably in the classroom for his last class today!"

For some reason, Bell and Liz, who had been moving more briskly than before, led the way in front of me. Then, Coat and Ile joined us.

"Brother mainly specializes in earth magic, so he doesn't often have classes with Hiram-senpai. I'm good at wind magic like Hiram-senpai, so we often have classes together."

"Hmm, maybe you two are close?"

"No, no, just greetings."

The two of them chatted amicably.

Eliza, looking worried, spoke up.

"Is it really okay to leave Barveni like that... He is the fourth prince of the Bushmills Empire, after all."

"I'll apologize to him later."

"......Hmph, I don't care anymore."

As Eliza sighed in resignation, I pushed forward to find Hiram.

By chance, none of us had classes at this time, so the seven of us walked through the academy and reached the classroom.

We arrived at a classroom on the third floor, west side. It seemed the class had just ended, as a few students were leaving.

We slipped past them and entered the classroom.

Coat spotted the person in question first and raised a hand.

"Hiram-senpai."

At the sound of his name, a boy with dark blue hair, surrounded by female students, turned his head. His youthful face made him seem around the same age as Shenry and the others, but he smiled at Coat.

"Hey, Coat. It's been a while. How have you been?"

"It's been a while, Hiram-senpai."

While greeting him casually, the boy approached us. Indeed, this must be Hiram.

His dark blue hair stood up in spikes, and his eyes were large and round. He had a gender-neutral aura, and his smiling face was friendly and approachable.

The female students gathered around him, calling him cute and doting on him.

"Do you need something from me?"

He looked at me and said.

"......Wow! You're Aoi Konominato-sensei, right? I've wanted to meet you, but we haven't had the chance... Could I join your class sometime?"

"Ah, yes. Anyone can take my class..."

As I answered, Hiram took my hand with a delighted smile.

"The class of Aoi-sensei, who is called the second coming of Headmaster Glen! I'm looking forward to it!"

Hiram expressed his excitement dramatically. But, his childlike, innocent smile made me smile despite myself.

"......Ah. No, that's fine, but I came here for another reason. Can I ask you a question?"

When I asked, Hiram tilted his head.

"Your measurements?"

"No."

I immediately denied it, and Hiram laughed.

This boy is difficult to handle. He always throws me off my game.

I cleared my throat to regain my composure.

"I'm being serious. Please listen carefully."

"Aoi-sensei, you're funny. You're not used to being teased, right? Want some tips?"

"Tips?"

Raising an eyebrow at Hiram's words, I was met with another cheerful laugh.

"That's it. First, don't take everything seriously. If you become the one talking, don't give the other person a chance to interrupt, or always make them the one answering. If you're ignored, someone like me can't do anything."

Hiram said this while laughing.

I see. He means to stay in control.

"I understand. I'll keep that in mind."

As I answered, Hiram nodded with a smile.

"Good! I'm rooting for you, Aoi-sensei!"

"Thank you."

As I thanked him, Hiram laughed and waved, then turned and walked away, followed by the female students. Strass sighed as he watched Hiram leave.

"......Hiram is leaving."

"......Ah!"

I hurried after Hiram.

I quickly caught up and stopped him as he was about to leave the courtyard.

"Ha ha ha. Aoi-sensei is really funny. I like you."

With a light tone, Hiram said this, and I warned him, slightly angry.

"Don't mock teachers. Now, about what I wanted to ask..."

I set the stage and began.

"Someone said my class is being disrupted. Do you know anything about it?"

Hiram's smile faded, and he narrowed his eyes.

"......Who said that?"

Switching to a fake smile, Hiram asked in return. Feeling a sense of unease, I answered.

"Could it be you?"

I asked directly, and Hiram pasted on a smug smile.

"......What if it was? What would a new teacher from a common background have to say to me, a prince of the Mapleleaf Holy Empire?"

Hiram said this in a dramatically theatrical manner, and the female students around him cheered.

"Hiram-senpai looks bad!"

"Scary-cute!"

Hiram laughed at the strange cheers.

Watching this farce, I sighed.

"......It doesn't seem to be you. Well, it's not impossible, but I'll put you last on my list of suspects."

As I turned to leave, Hiram's voice lowered.

"I'm not the one, but what would you do if it was me?"

"Stopping the strange pressure on my surroundings would be enough."

Stopping, I answered, and Hiram chuckled.

"Your attitude towards a prince of another country... The rumors are true. I'm starting to take an interest in you. Maybe I'll really take your class next time."

"Status and position are unnecessary beyond the roles of teacher and student."

"Hmm... I see. An interesting perspective. How about a meal sometime?"

"......I'm not really in the mood."

Hiram laughed at my response. I felt the female students glaring at me, but Hiram, in a good mood, muttered to himself.

"Four Pern Roses... A top-notch magician of our Mapleleaf Holy Empire, but surprisingly childlike. I bet Aoi, who suddenly appeared and stole the spotlight, is a frustrating presence for Four..."

After muttering this, Hiram sighed.

I turned and looked at Hiram.

"Did you forget something?"

"......No, nothing. Thank you."

I bowed and turned away again.

Although I was thrown off my game, I managed to get information from Hiram. He's a hard-to-hate boy.

Still, I didn't expect it to be Four. He's a veteran and a senior faculty member. Would he really target a new teacher?

"......It's hard to believe."

As I muttered while walking, Coat chuckled.

"Well, Four-sensei's aristocraticism is well-known, so it makes sense to me."

Coat said with a sigh.

A senior faculty member with aristocratic views. This could be troublesome, but at least the most suspicious person has emerged.

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